Rugby Australia Awards 2023: Rob Valetini claims John Eales Medal

One of the few Wallabies to enhance their reputations through a horror World Cup campaign, Rob Valetini has capped off his best season for Australia by claiming the John Eales Medal.

Julian Linden

2 min read

February 7, 2024 - 8:30PM

Rob Valetini has claimed the John Eales Medal for 2023. Picture: AFP

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Wallabies workhorse Rob Valetini, one of the few Australians to enhance their reputation at last year’s ill-fated World Cup campaign in France, capped his best season in the gold jersey by claiming the John Eales Medal.

The 25-year-old Valetini was presented with Rugby Australia’s highest individual honour at a glittering awards ceremony at Sydney Harbour on Wednesday night.

Whether it was intended or not, no one uttered the name of the Wallabies coach who ditched the team in the bitter fallout at the end of the tournament and signed for Japan.

Valetini said the players were looking ahead, not back.

“I think after the hard season last year, I think there will be a fire in a lot of players’ bellies… the boys that didn’t get selected or boys that were selected and were not successful at the Rugby World Cup,” he said.

“Obviously, with the new coaching, I think it would be a clean slate for everyone in rugby union.”

Rob Valetini has claimed the John Eales Medal for 2023. Picture: AFP

Valetini featured in each of the nine Tests the Wallabies played in 2023 and while the team struggled, tasting victory only twice before crashing out in the pool stage, he was a star performer all year long.

He polled 141 points to win the John Eales Medal, finishing ahead of prop Angus Bell and two-time winner Marika Koroibete to become the 13th winner in 21 years but said he had mixed emotions after the team’s World Cup flop.

“It’s one of the highest honours you can get so just to be voted by my team-mates and for them to consider me for this award, it means a lot,” he said.

“But obviously, we had some disappointing results last year so to win this award, it’s bittersweet.”

The prestigious award was the second major gong for Valetini in recent times after he won the Super Rugby Player of the Year for the Brumbies in 2022.

This season’s Super Rugby Player of the Year award went to Queensland’s Fraser McReight, who was picked at flanker for the World Cup squad ahead of former skipper Michael Hooper.

Eva Karpani was named Wallaroos Player of the Year while Maddison Levi was chosen as Australia’s best female sevens player. The men’s prize was taken out by Henry Paterson.

JOHN EALES MEDAL HONOUR ROLL

2023: Rob Valetini

2022: Marika Koroibete

2021: Michael Hooper

2020: Michael Hooper

2019: Marika Koroibete

2018: David Pocock

2017: Israel Folau

2016: Michael Hooper

2015: Israel Folau

2014: Israel Folau

2013: Michael Hooper